Apparatus and method for attaching interconnector of solar cell panel

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel. The method includes forming a flux layer by spraying flux over the interconnector via spraying, the interconnector including a core layer and a solder layer formed on a surface of the core layer, and attaching the interconnector to a solar cell via soldering of the solder layer by pressing the interconnector onto the solar cell while applying heat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2015-0142357, filed on Oct. 12, 2015 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0184584, filed on Dec. 23, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for attaching interconnectors of solar cell panels, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for attaching interconnectors of solar cell panels that interconnect a plurality of solar cells.

Description of the Related Art

Recently, due to depletion of existing energy resources, such as oil and coal, interest in alternative sources of energy to replace the existing energy resources is increasing. Most of all, solar cells are popular next generation cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy.

A plurality of solar cells are connected to each other in series or in parallel using ribbons, and are manufactured into a solar cell panel via packaging, which is a process for protecting the solar cells. The solar cell panel needs to perform electricity generation for a long term in various environments, thus requiring considerable long-term reliability. At this time, the solar cells are conventionally connected to one another using the ribbons.

However, an apparatus and method for attaching the ribbons may be complex, thus causing deterioration in productivity. In addition, when interconnectors, which have a structure that is different from that of the ribbons, are used instead of the ribbons, no apparatus or method for attaching the interconnectors has been proposed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for attaching interconnectors of solar cell panels, which may improve both the productivity and the attachability of the interconnectors.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the method including forming a flux layer by spraying flux over the interconnector via spraying, the interconnector including a core layer and a solder layer formed on a surface of the core layer, and attaching the interconnector to a solar cell via soldering of the solder layer by pressing the interconnector onto the solar cell while applying heat.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the apparatus including a flux unit including a spray member having a spray portion for spraying flux over the interconnector, which includes a core layer and a solder layer formed on a surface of the core layer, and an attachment unit for attaching the interconnector to a solar cell via soldering of the solder layer by pressing the interconnector onto the solar cell while applying heat.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the apparatus including a first interconnector supply unit for supplying the interconnector in a processing direction, the interconnector including a rounded portion or having a circular cross section, a flux unit for applying flux to the interconnector, a drying unit for drying the flux applied to the interconnector, a cutter for cutting the interconnector, an interconnector discharge unit located at a rear end of the cutter in the processing direction for discharging the interconnector, a second interconnector supply unit including a fixing arm for arranging the cut interconnector on a supplied solar cell, and an attachment unit for attaching the interconnector to the solar cell by applying heat to the interconnector.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the apparatus including a flux unit including a spray member having a spray portion for spraying flux over the interconnector, which includes a core layer and a solder layer formed on a surface of the core layer, and a supply member for providing the flux to the spray member, and an attachment unit for attaching the interconnector to a solar cell via soldering of the solder layer by pressing the interconnector onto the solar cell while applying heat. The supply member includes a recirculation member for collecting and recirculating the flux sprayed from the spray member and providing the flux to the spray member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating an example of a solar cell and interconnectors connected thereto, which are included in the solar cell panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a first solar cell and a second solar cell, which are included in the solar cell panel of FIG. 1 and are interconnected via interconnectors;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of portion A of FIG. 4 in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating the configuration of a portion of an interconnector attachment apparatus for a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating the configuration of another portion of the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual view schematically illustrating a working table, a heat source, and an upper fixing member supply unit of the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views illustrating the configuration of a flux unit in the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a process of forming a flux layer via the flux unit in the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a dipping process of forming a flux layer;

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating various examples of a spraying portion, which may be applied to the flux unit in the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an operation of a cutter included in the interconnector attachment apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the solar cell and interconnectors disposed thereon are fixed to each other using an upper fixing member included in the interconnector attachment apparatus of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A to 16G are views for explaining an operation of an attachment unit included in the interconnector attachment apparatus of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 17 is a view schematically illustrating the configuration of a portion of the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments and may be modified in various ways.

In the drawings, to clearly and briefly explain the present invention, illustration of elements having no connection with the description is omitted, and the same or extremely similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. In addition, in the drawings, for a more clear explanation, the dimensions of elements, such as thickness, width, and the like, are exaggerated or reduced, and thus the thickness, width, and the like of the present invention are not limited to the illustration of the drawings.

In the entire specification, when an element is referred to as “including” another element, the element should not be understood as excluding other elements so long as there is no special conflicting description, and the element may include at least one other element. In addition, it will be understood that, when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. On the other hand, when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being “directly on” another element, this means that there are no intervening elements therebetween.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for attaching interconnectors for a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clear description, a solar cell panel, which includes interconnectors attached by the apparatus and method for attaching interconnectors for the solar cell panel according to the present embodiment, will first be described, and thereafter, the apparatus and method for attaching interconnectors for the solar cell panel according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are simply used in order to distinguish elements from each other, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the solar cell panel according to the present embodiment, designated by reference numeral 100, includes a plurality of solar cells 150 and interconnectors 142 for electrically interconnecting the solar cells 150. In addition, the solar cell panel 100 includes a sealing member 130 for surrounding and sealing the solar cells 150 and the interconnectors 142 for interconnecting the solar cells 150, a front substrate 110 disposed on the front surface of the solar cells 150 above the sealing member 130, and a back substrate 120 disposed on the back surface of the solar cells 150 above the sealing member 130. This will be described below in more detail.

First, each of the solar cells 150 may include a photoelectric converter for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrode electrically connected to the photoelectric converter for collecting and transferring current. The solar cells 150 may be electrically interconnected in series and/or in parallel by the interconnectors 142. Specifically, the interconnectors 142 may electrically interconnect two neighboring solar cells 150 among the solar cells 150.

In addition, bus ribbons 145 interconnect alternate ends of the interconnectors 142, which interconnect the solar cells 150 in rows (in other words, solar cell strings). The bus ribbons 145 may be located on the ends of the solar cell strings so as to cross the solar cell strings. The bus ribbons 145 may interconnect the solar cell strings adjacent to each other, or may connect the solar cell string(s) to a junction box, which prevents the backflow of current. The material, shape, connection structure, and the like of the bus ribbons 145 may be altered in various ways, and the present invention is not limited as to them.

The sealing member 130 may include a first sealing member 131 disposed on the front surface of the solar cells 150 interconnected by the interconnectors 142, and a second sealing member 132 disposed on the back surface of the solar cells 150. The first sealing member 131 and the second sealing member 132 prevent the introduction of moisture and oxygen, and realize a chemical bond between respective elements of the solar cell panel 100. The first and second sealing members 131 and 132 may be formed of an insulation material having light-transmissive and adhesive properties. In one example, the first sealing member 131 and the second sealing member 132 may be formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer resin, polyvinyl butyral, silicone resin, ester-based resin, or olefin-based resin. The back substrate 120, the second sealing member 132, the solar cells 150, the first sealing member 131, and the front substrate 110 may be integrated with one another so as to construct the solar cell panel 100 via, for example, a lamination process using the first and second sealing members 131 and 132.

The front substrate 110 is disposed on the first sealing member 131 and configures the front surface of the solar cell panel 100. The back substrate 120 is disposed on the second sealing member 132 and configures the back surface of the solar cell panel 100. Each of the front substrate 110 and the back substrate 120 may be formed of an insulation material capable of protecting the solar cells 150 from external shocks, moisture, ultraviolet light, and the like. In addition, the front substrate 110 may be formed of a light-transmitting material capable of transmitting light, and the back substrate 120 may be configured as a sheet formed of a light-transmitting material, a material not transmitting light, or a material reflecting light. In one example, the front substrate 110 may be configured as a glass substrate, and the back substrate 120 may be a Tedlar/PET/Tedlar (TPT) substrate, or may include a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin layer formed on at least one surface of a base film (e.g. a polyethyleneterephthlate (PET) film).

However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the first and second sealing members 131 and 132, the front substrate 110, or the back substrate 120 may include any of various materials excluding the above-described materials, and may have any of various shapes. For example, the front substrate 110 or the back substrate 120 may have any of various shapes (e.g. a substrate, film, or sheet), or may include any of various materials.

An example of the solar cells and the interconnectors connected thereto, which are included in the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, will be described below in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating an example of the solar cells and the interconnectors connected thereto, which are included in the solar cell panel of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, each solar cell 150 includes a semiconductor substrate 160, conductive areas 20 and 30 formed on or over the semiconductor substrate 160, and electrodes 42 and 44 connected to the conductive areas 20 and 30. The conductive areas 20 and 30 may include a first conductive area 20 of a first conductive type and a second conductive area 30 of a second conductive type. The electrodes 42 and 44 may include a first electrode 42 connected to the first conductive area 20, and a second electrode 44 connected to the second conductive area 30. The solar cell 150 may further include, for example, first and second passivation films 22 and 32, and an anti-reflection film 24.

The semiconductor substrate 160 may be formed of crystalline semiconductors including a single semiconductor material (e.g. group-IV elements). In one example, the semiconductor substrate 160 may be formed of monocrystalline or polycrystalline semiconductors (e.g. monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon). More particularly, the semiconductor substrate 160 may be formed of monocrystalline semiconductors (e.g. a monocrystalline semiconductor wafer, and more specifically, a monocrystalline silicon wafer). As such, the solar cell 150 is based on the semiconductor substrate 160, which is formed of monocrystalline semiconductors having high crystallinity and thus low defects. Accordingly, the solar cell 150 may have excellent electrical properties.

The front surface and/or the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 may be subjected to texturing so as to have protrusions. The protrusions may take the form of pyramids having irregular sizes, and the outer surface of the protrusions may be (111) faces of the semiconductor substrate 160. When the roughness of the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 is increased by the protrusions formed on the front surface via texturing, the reflectance of light introduced through the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 may be reduced. Accordingly, the quantity of light, which reaches the pn junction formed by a base area 10 and the first or second conductive area 20 or 30, may be increased, which may minimize shading loss. The present embodiment illustrates that protrusions are formed on each of the front surface and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, protrusions may be formed on at least one of the back surface and the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160, and may not be formed on the front surface and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160.

In the present embodiment, the semiconductor substrate 160 includes the base area 10, which includes a first or second conductive dopant at a relatively low doping density, thus being of a first or second conductive type. At this time, the base area 10 of the semiconductor substrate 160 may have a lower doping density, higher resistance, or lower carrier density than one of the first and second conductive areas 20 and 30, which is of the same conductive type as the base area 10. In one example, in the present embodiment, the base area 10 may be of a second conductive type.

In addition, the semiconductor substrate 160 may include the first conductive area 20 and the second conductive area 30. In the present embodiment, the base area 10 and the conductive areas 20 and 30, which constitute the semiconductor substrate 160, have the crystalline structure of the semiconductor substrate 160, are of different conductive types, and have different doping densities. For example, an area of the semiconductor substrate 160, which includes a first conductive dopant and thus is of a first conductive type, may be defined as the first conductive area 20, an area of the semiconductor substrate 160, which includes a second conductive dopant at a low doping density and thus is of a second conductive type, may be defined as the base area 10, and an area of the semiconductor substrate 160, which includes the second conductive dopant at a higher doping density than that in the base area 10 and thus is of the second conductive type, may be defined as the second conductive area 30.

The first and second conductive areas 20 and 30 may be formed respectively throughout the front surface and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160. Here, “formed throughout” includes not only physically complete formation, but also formation with inevitably excluded parts. In this way, the first and second conductive areas 20 and 30 may be formed to have a sufficient area without a separate patterning.

The first conductive area 20 may configure an emitter area, which forms a pn junction with the base area 10. The second conductive area 30 may configure a back-surface field area, which forms a back-surface field. The back-surface field area serves to prevent the loss of carriers due to recombination on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 (more accurately, the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160).

In the present embodiment, the conductive areas 20 and are doped areas, which are formed by doping some inner areas of the semiconductor substrate 160 with dopants, thus constituting a portion of the semiconductor substrate 160. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, at least one of the first conductive area 20 and the second conductive area 30 may be configured as an amorphous, microcrystalline or polycrystalline semiconductor layer, which is a separate layer over the semiconductor substrate 160. Various other alterations are possible.

In addition, the present embodiment exemplifies that the first conductive area 20 and the second conductive area 30 have a homogeneous structure having a uniform doping density. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, in another embodiment, at least one of the first conductive area 20 and the second conductive area 30 may have a selective structure. In the selective structure, a portion of the conductive areas 20 and 30 proximate to the electrodes 42 and 44 may have a high doping density and low resistance, and the remaining portion may have a low doping density and high resistance. In another embodiment, the second conductive area 30 may have a local structure. In the local structure, the second conductive area 30 may be locally formed so as to correspond to a portion at which the second electrode 44 is formed.

The first conductive dopant, included in the first conductive area 20, may be an n-type or p-type dopant, and the second conductive dopant, included in the base area 10 and the second conductive area 30, may be a p-type or n-type dopant. The p-type dopant may be a group-III element, such as boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (ga), or indium (In), and the n-type dopant may be a group-V element, such as phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), bismuth (Bi), or antimony (Sb). The second conductive dopant in the base area 10 and the second conductive dopant in the second conductive area 30 may be the same material, or may be different materials.

In one example, the first conductive area 20 may be of a p-type, and the base area 10 and the second conductive area 30 may be of an n-type. When light is emitted to the pn junction formed by the first conductive area 20 and the base area 10, electrons generated by photoelectric conversion move to the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 to thereby be collected by the second electrode 44, and holes move to the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 to thereby be collected by the first electrode 42. Thereby, electricity is generated. When holes, which move more slowly than electrons, move to the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160, rather than the back surface, the conversion efficiency may be improved. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the base area 10 and the second conductive area 30 may be of a p-type, and the first conductive area 20 may be of an n-type.

Insulation films, such as, for example, the first and second passivation films 22 and 32 and the anti-reflection film 24, may be formed over the surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 160. The insulation films may be configured as undoped insulation films, which include no dopant.

More specifically, the first passivation film 22 may be formed over (e.g. in contact with) the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160, more accurately, over the first conductive area 20 formed on the semiconductor substrate 160, and the anti-reflection film 24 may be formed over (e.g. in contact with) the first passivation film 22. In addition, the second passivation film 32 may be formed over (e.g. in contact with) the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160, more accurately, over the second conductive area 30 formed on the semiconductor substrate 160.

The first passivation film 22 and the anti-reflection film 24 may substantially be formed throughout the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 excluding a portion corresponding to the first electrode 42 (more accurately, a portion provided with a first opening 102). Similarly, the second passivation film 32 may substantially be formed throughout the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 excluding a portion corresponding to the second electrode 44 (more accurately, a portion provided with a second opening 104).

The first and second passivation films 22 and 32 come into contact with the first and second conductive areas 20 and 30 for passivation of defects present in the surface or the bulk of the conductive areas 20 and 30. As such, it is possible to increase the open-circuit voltage Voc of the solar cell 150 by removing recombination sites of minority carriers. The anti-reflection film 24 reduces the reflectance of light introduced into the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160. This may increase the quantity of light, which reaches the pn junction formed at the interface of the base area 10 and the first conductive area 20. Thereby, the short-circuit current Isc of the solar cell 150 may be increased. In conclusion, the passivation films 22 and 32 and the anti-reflection film 24 may increase the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current of the solar cell 150, thereby improving the efficiency of the solar cell 150.

In one example, the passivation films 22 and 32 or the anti-reflection film 24 may include a single film or multiple films in the form of a combination of two or more films selected from the group consisting of a silicon nitride film, silicon nitride film containing hydrogen, silicon oxide film, silicon oxide nitride film, aluminum oxide film, MgF₂, ZnS, TiO₂, and CeO₂. In one example, the first or second passivation film 22 or 32 may include a silicon oxide film or silicon nitride film having a fixed positive charge when the conductive area 20 or 30 is of an n-type, and may include an aluminum oxide film having a fixed negative charge when the conductive area 20 or 30 is of a p-type. In one example, the anti-reflection film 24 may include a silicon nitride.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the passivation films 22 and 32 and the anti-reflection film 24 may include various materials. In addition, the stacking structure of the insulation films stacked over the front surface and/or the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 may be altered in various ways. For example, the insulation films may be stacked one above another in a stacking sequence different from the above-described stacking sequence. Alternatively, at least one of the first and second passivation films 22 and 32 and the anti-reflection film 24 may be omitted, or other insulation films excluding the first and second passivation films 22 and 32 and the anti-reflection film 24 may be provided. Various other alterations are possible.

The first electrode 42 is electrically connected to the first conductive area 20 through the first opening 102, which is formed in the insulation films disposed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 (e.g. the first passivation film 22 and the anti-reflection film 24). The second electrode 44 is electrically connected to the second conductive area 30 through the second opening 104, which is formed in the insulation film disposed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160 (e.g. the second passivation film 32). In one example, the first electrode 42 may come into contact with the first conductive area 20, and the second electrode 44 may come into contact with the second conductive area 30.

The first and second electrodes 42 and 44 may be formed of various materials (e.g. metal materials) so as to have various shapes. The shapes of the first and second electrodes 42 and 44 will be described later.

As such, in the present embodiment, the first and second electrodes 42 and 44 of the solar cell 150 may have a predetermined pattern so that the solar cell 150 has a bi-facial structure to allow light to be introduced into the front surface and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160. Thereby, the quantity of light used in the solar cell 150 may be increased, which may contribute to improvement in the efficiency of the solar cell 150.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second electrode 44 may be formed throughout the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160. In addition, all of the first and second conductive areas 20 and 30 and the first and second electrodes 42 and 44 may be arranged on the same surface (e.g. the back surface) of the semiconductor substrate 160, or at least one of the first and second conductive areas 20 and 30 may be formed over both the surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 160. That is, the above-described solar cell 150 is simply given by way of example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

The solar cell 150 described above is electrically connected to a neighboring solar cell 150 by the interconnector 142, which is located over (e.g. in contact with) the first electrode 42 or the second electrode 44. This will be described below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a first solar cell 151 and a second solar cell 152, which are included in the solar cell panel 100 of FIG. 1 and are interconnected via the interconnector 142. In FIG. 4, the first and second solar cells 151 and 152 are schematically illustrated, and the illustration is focused on the semiconductor substrate 160 and the electrodes 42 and 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, two neighboring solar cells 150 (e.g. the first solar cell 151 and the second solar cell 152) among the solar cells 150 may be interconnected by the interconnector 142. At this time, the interconnector 142 interconnects the first electrode 42, which is disposed on the front surface of the first solar cell 151, and the second electrode 44, which is disposed on the back surface of the second solar cell 152, which is located on one side (the left lower side in FIG. 4) of the first solar cell 151. In addition, another interconnector 1420 a interconnects the second electrode 44, which is disposed on the back surface of the first solar cell 151, and the first electrode 42, which is disposed on the front surface of another solar cell, which may be located on the other side (the right upper side in FIG. 4) of the first solar cell 151. In addition, another interconnector 1420 b interconnects the first electrode 42, which is disposed on the front surface of the second solar cell 152, and the second electrode 44, which is disposed on the back surface of another solar cell, which may be located on one side (the left lower side in FIG. 4) of the second solar cell 152. In this way, the multiple solar cells 150 may be interconnected to form a single row by the interconnectors 142, 1420 a and 1420 b. A following description related to the interconnector 142 may be applied to all of the interconnectors 142, 1420 a and 1420 b, each of which interconnects two neighboring solar cells 150.

In the present embodiment, the interconnector 142 may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is connected to the first electrode (more specifically, a bus-bar line (see reference numeral 42 b in FIG. 5) of the first electrode 42) on the front surface of the first solar cell 151 and extends a long length from a first edge 161 to a second edge 162, which is opposite the first edge 161. The second portion is connected to the second electrode 44 (more specifically, a bus-bar line of the second electrode 44) on the back surface of the second solar cell 152 and extends a long length from the first edge 161 to the second edge 162, which is opposite the first edge 161. The third portion extends from the front surface of the second edge 162 of the first solar cell 151 to the back surface of the second solar cell 152 so as to connect the first portion and the second portion to each other. As such, the interconnector 142 may cross a portion of the first solar cell 151, and then may cross a portion of the second solar cell 152. When the interconnector 142 has a width smaller than the first and second solar cells 151 and 152 and is formed so as to correspond to the aforementioned portions of the first and second solar cells 151 and 152 (e.g. the bus-bar line 42 b), the interconnector 142 may effectively interconnect the first and second solar cells 151 and 152 despite a small area thereof.

In one example, the interconnector 142 may come into contact with the bus-bar line 42 b of the first and second electrodes 42 and 44 so as to extend a long length along the bus-bar line 42 b. Thereby, the interconnector 142 and the first and second electrodes 42 and 44 may continuously come into contact with each other, which may improve electrical properties. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first electrode 42 may have no bus-bar line 42 b, and in this case, the interconnector 142 may be in contact with and be connected to a plurality of finger lines (see reference numeral 42 a in FIG. 5) so as to cross the finger lines 42 a. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When viewing one surface of each solar cell 150, the multiple interconnectors 142 may be provided to improve the electrical connection between neighboring solar cells 150. In particular, in the present embodiment, the interconnector 142 is configured as a wire, which has a width smaller than a conventional ribbon having a relatively large width (e.g. within a range from 1 mm to 2 mm). As such, a greater number of interconnectors 142 than the conventional ribbons (e.g. two to five interconnectors) are used on one surface of each solar cell 150.

In one example, each interconnector 142 may include a core layer 142 a, which is formed of a metal, and a solder layer 142 b, which is coated over the surface of the core layer 142 a at a small thickness and includes a solder material so as to enable soldering with the electrodes 42 and 44. In one example, the core layer 142 a may include Ni, Cu, Ag or Al as a main material (i.e. a material included in an amount of 50 weight percent or more, more specifically, 90 weight percent or more). The solder layer 142 b may include, for example, Pb, Sn, SnIn, SnBi, SnPb, SnPbAg, SnCuAg or SnCu as a main material. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the core layer 142 a and the solder layer 142 b may include various other materials.

When the wire, which has a width smaller than the conventional ribbon, is used as the interconnector 142, material costs may be considerably reduced. In addition, because the interconnector 142 has a width smaller than the ribbon, a sufficient number of interconnector 142 may be provided to minimize the movement distance of carriers, which may enhance the output of the solar cell panel 100.

In addition, the wire, which configures the interconnector 142 according to the present embodiment, may include a rounded portion. That is, the wire, which configures the interconnector 142, may have a circular, oval, or curvilinear cross section, or a rounded cross section. Thereby, the wire, which configures the interconnector 142, may cause reflection or diffused reflection. In this way, light reflected from the rounded surface of the wire, which configures the interconnector 142, may be reflected or totally reflected by the front substrate 110 or the back substrate 120, which is disposed on the front surface or the back surface of the solar cell 150, to thereby be reintroduced into the solar cell 150. This may effectively enhance the output of the solar cell panel 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the wire, which configures the interconnector 142, may have a polygonal shape, such as a rectangular shape, or may have any of various other shapes.

In the present embodiment, the width (or the diameter) of the interconnector 142 may range from 250 m to 500 m. For reference, in the present embodiment, because the thickness of the solder layer 142 b may be very small and may have any of various values depending on the position of the interconnector 142, the width of the interconnector 142 may be the width of the core layer 142 a. Alternatively, the width of the interconnector 142 may be the width that is measured at the center of the interconnector 142 above a line portion (see reference numeral 421 in FIG. 5). The interconnector 142, which has the above-described width and takes the form of a wire, may efficiently transfer current, generated in the solar cell 150, to an external circuit (e.g. a bus ribbon or a bypass diode of a junction box) or another solar cell 150. In the present embodiment, the interconnectors 142 may be individually positioned over and fixed to the electrodes 42 and 44 of the solar cell 150 without being inserted into, for example, a separate layer or film. When the width of the interconnector 142 is below 250 μm, the strength of the interconnector 142 may be insufficient and the connection area between the interconnector 142 and the electrodes 42 and 44 may be very small, which may result in poor electrical connection and low attachment force. When the width of the interconnector 142 exceeds 500 μm, the cost of the interconnector 142 may increase, and the interconnector 142 may prevent light from being introduced into the front surface of the solar cell 150, thereby increasing shading loss. In addition, the interconnector 142 may receive force so as to be spaced apart from the electrodes 42 and 44, which may cause low attachment force between the interconnector 142 and the electrodes 42 and 44 and may generate cracks in the electrodes 42 and 44 or the semiconductor substrate 160. In one example, the width of the interconnector 142 may range from 350 μm to 450 μm (more particularly, from 350 μm to 400 μm). With this range, the interconnector 142 may achieve increased attachment force for the electrodes 42 and 44 and may enhance the output of the solar cell 150.

At this time, six to thirty-three interconnectors 142 may be provided on one surface of the solar cell 150. More specifically, when the width of the interconnectors 142 is 250 μm or more and below 300 μm, the number of interconnectors 142 may range from 15 to 33. When the width of the interconnectors 142 is 300 μm or more and below 350 μm, the number of interconnectors 142 may range from 10 to 33. When the width of the interconnectors 142 is 350 μm or more and below 400 μm, the number of interconnectors 142 may range from 8 to 33. When the width of the interconnectors 142 ranges from 400 μm to 500 μm, the number of interconnectors 142 may range from 6 to 33. In addition, when the width of the interconnectors 142 is 350 μm or more, the output of the solar cell panel 100 is no longer increased even if the number of interconnectors 142 exceeds 15. In addition, when the number of interconnectors 142 increases, this may increase burden on the solar cell 150. In consideration of this, when the width of the interconnectors 142 is 350 μm or more and below 400 μm, the number of interconnectors 142 may range from 8 to 15. When the width of the interconnectors 142 ranges from 400 μm to 500 μm, the number of interconnectors 142 may range from 6 to 15. At this time, in order to further enhance the output of the solar cell panel 100, the number of interconnectors 142 may be 10 or more (e.g. 12 or 13). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of interconnectors 142 and the number of bus-bar lines 42 b may have various other values.

At this time, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 (or the pitch of the bus-bar lines 42 b) may range from 4.75 mm to 26.13 mm. This is acquired in consideration of the width and the number of interconnectors 142. For example, when the width of the interconnectors 142 is 250 μm or more and below 300 μm, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may range from 4.75 mm to 10.45 mm. When the width of the interconnectors 142 is 300 μm or more and below 350 μm, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may range from 4.75 mm to 15.68 mm. When the width W of the interconnectors 142 is 350 μm or more and below 400 μm, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may range from 4.75 mm to 19.59 mm. When the width of the interconnectors 142 ranges from 400 μm to 500 μm, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may range from 4.75 mm to 26.13 mm. More specifically, when the width of the interconnectors 142 is 350 μm or more and below 400 μm, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may range from 10.45 mm to 19.59 mm. When the width of the interconnectors 142 ranges from 400 μm to 500 μm, the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may range from 10.45 mm to 26.13 mm. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pitch of the interconnectors 142 and the pitch of the bus-bar lines 42 b may have various other values.

In the present embodiment, the first electrode 42 (or the second electrode 44), the interconnector 142, and an electrode area (see reference character EA in FIG. 5) may be symmetrically arranged in the first direction (i.e. the direction parallel to the finger lines 42 a) and the second direction (i.e. the direction parallel to the bus-bar lines 42 b or the interconnectors 142). Thereby, the flow of current may be stabilized. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

An example of the electrodes 42 and 44 of the solar cell 150, to which the interconnectors 142 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be attached, will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 5. Hereinafter, the first electrode 42 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5, and then the second electrode 44 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view illustrating portion A of FIG. 4 in an enlarged scale.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, in the present embodiment, the first electrode 42 includes the finger lines 42 a, which extend in the first direction (i.e. the horizontal direction in the drawings) and are arranged parallel to each other. The first electrode 42 may further include the bus-bar lines 42 b, which extend in the second direction (i.e. the vertical direction in the drawings) crossing (e.g. perpendicular to) the finger lines 42 a and are connected or attached to the interconnectors 142. Because the bus-bar lines 42 b may be arranged so as to correspond to the interconnectors 142, the description related to the number and the pitch of the interconnectors 142 may be directly applied to the number and the pitch of the bus-bar lines 42 b. Hereinafter, an area between two neighboring bus-bar lines 42 b among the bus-bar lines 42 b is referred to as the electrode area EA. In the present embodiment, because the multiple (e.g. six or more) interconnectors 142 are provided on one surface of the solar cell 150, a plurality of electrode areas EA (provided in the number greater than the number of interconnectors 142 by one) may be provided.

The finger lines 42 a may have a consistent width, and may be spaced apart from one another at a consistent pitch. Although FIG. 5 illustrates that the finger lines 42 a are formed parallel to each other in the first direction and are parallel to the main edges (more particularly, the first and second edges 161 and 162) of the solar cell 150, the present invention is not limited thereto.

In one example, the finger lines 42 a of the first electrode 42 may have the width ranging from 35 μm to 120 μm and may have the pitch ranging from 1.2 mm to 2.8 mm, and the number of finger lines 42 a may range from 55 to 130 in the direction crossing the finger lines 42 a. The width and the pitch of the finger lines 42 a may be determined based on easy process conditions, and may be limited to minimize shading loss due to the finger lines 42 a while ensuring the effective collection of current generated via photoelectric conversion. The thickness of the finger lines 42 a may be within the range in which the finger lines 42 a may be formed via an easy process and may have a desired specific resistance. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the width and the pitch of the finger lines 42 a may be changed in various ways depending on, for example, variation in process conditions, the size of the solar cell 150, and the constituent material of the finger lines 42 a.

At this time, the width of the interconnectors 142 may be smaller than the pitch of the finger lines 42 a, and may be greater than the width of the finger lines 42 a. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various alterations are possible.

In one example, the bus-bar lines 42 b may be successively formed from the position proximate to the first edge 161 to the position proximate to the second edge 162 in the electrode area EA. As mentioned above, the bus-bar lines 42 b may be located so as to correspond to the interconnectors 142, which are used to connect the respective neighboring solar cells 150. The bus-bar lines 42 b may correspond to the interconnectors 142 in a one-to-one ratio. As such, in the present embodiment, the number of bus-bar-lines 42 b may be the same as the number of interconnectors 142 on one surface of the solar cell 150.

Each bus-bar line 42 b may include a line portion 421, which has a relatively small width and extends a long length in the direction in which it is connected to the interconnector 142 within the electrode area EA, and a pad portion 422, which has a width greater than the line portion 421 so as to increase the area of connection for the interconnector 142. The line portion 421 having a small width may minimize the area by which light is blocked so as not to be introduced into the solar cell 150, and the pad portion 422 having a large width may increase the attachment force between the interconnector 142 and the bus-bar line 42 b and may reduce contact resistance. The pad portion 422 has a width greater than the line portion 421, and thus substantially serves as a portion for the attachment of the interconnector 142. The interconnector 142 may be attached to the line portion 421, or may be simply placed on the line portion 421 without being attached thereto.

The width of the pad portion 422, measured in the first direction, may be greater than the width of each of the line portion 421 and the finger line 42 a.

The present embodiment illustrates that the line portion 421 of the bus-bar line 42 b is provided so as to correspond to the interconnector 142. More specifically, although a bus-bar electrode, which is significantly wider than the finger line 42 a, is provided to correspond to the interconnector 142 in the related art, in the present embodiment, the line portion 421 of the bus-bar line 42 b, which has a width significantly smaller than the bus-bar electrode, is provided. In the present embodiment, the line portion 421 may connect the finger lines 42 a to one another so as to provide a bypass path for carriers when some finger lines 42 a are disconnected.

In this specification, the bus-bar electrode refers to an electrode portion, which is formed in the direction crossing the finger lines so as to correspond to the interconnector 142 and has a width twelve times or more (usually, fifteen times or more) the width of the finger lines. Two or three bus-bar electrodes are usually provided because the bus-bar electrodes have a relatively large width. In addition, in the present embodiment, the line portion 421 of the bus-bar line 42 b may refer to an electrode portion, which is formed in the direction crossing the finger lines 42 a so as to correspond to the interconnector 142 and has a width ten times or less the width of the finger line 42 a.

In one example, the width of the line portion 421 may range from 0.5 times to 10 times the width of the finger line 42 a. When the ratio is below 0.5 times, the width of the line portion 421 may be too small to allow the line portion 421 to exert sufficient effects. When the ratio exceeds 10 times, the width of the line portion 421 may be excessive, causing increased shading loss. In particular, in the present embodiment, because a great number of interconnectors 142 are provided, the line portions 421 are also provided in a great number, which may further increase shading loss. More specifically, the width of the line portion 421 may range from 0.5 times to 7 times the width of the finger line 42 a. When the ratio is 7 times or less, shading loss may further be reduced. In one example, in terms of shading loss, the width of the line portion 421 may range from 0.5 times to 4 times the width of the finger line 42 a. More specifically, the width of the line portion 421 may range from 0.5 times to 2 times the width of the finger line 42 a. With this range, the efficiency of the solar cell 150 may be greatly increased.

Alternatively, the width of the line portion 421 may be equal to or smaller than the width of the interconnector 142. This is because the width or area by which the lower surface of the interconnector 142 comes into contact with the line portion 421 is not large when the interconnector 142 has a circular, oval or rounded shape. When the line portion 421 has a relatively small width, the area of the first electrode 42 may be reduced, resulting in a reduction in the manufacturing costs of the first electrode 42.

In one example, the ratio of the width of the interconnector 142 to the width of the line portion 421 may be greater than 1:0.07 and less than 1:1. When the ratio is below 1:0.07, the width of the line portion 421 is excessively small, causing deterioration in electrical properties. When the ratio exceeds 1, the area of the first electrode 42 is increased, causing increased shading loss and material costs without considerable improvement in the contact between the interconnector 142 and the line portion 421. In one example, the ratio may range from 1:01 to 1:0.5 (more specifically, from 1:0.1 to 1:0.3) when further considering the shading loss and the material costs.

Alternatively, the width of the line portion 421 may range from 30 μm to 350 μm. When the width of the line portion 421 is below 35 μm, the width of the line portion 421 is excessively small, causing deterioration in electrical properties. When the width of the line portion 421 exceeds 350 μm, the area of the first electrode 42 is excessive, causing increased shading loss and material costs without considerable improvement in the contact between the interconnector 142 and the line portion 421. In one example, the width of the line portion 421 may range from 35 μm to 200 μm (more specifically, from 35 μm to 120 μm) when further considering the shading loss and the material costs.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the width of the line portion 421 may be changed in various ways within the range in which the line portion 421 effectively transfers current generated via photoelectric conversion and minimizes shading loss.

In addition, the width of the pad portion 422 may be greater than the width of the line portion 421, and may be equal to or greater than the width of the interconnector 142. Because the pad portion 422 serves to increase force for the attachment of the interconnector 142 by increasing the contact area of the interconnector 142, the width of the pad portion 422 may be greater than the width of the line portion 421, and may be equal to or greater than the width of the interconnector 142.

In one example, the ratio of the width of the interconnector 142 to the width of the pad portion 422 may range from 1:1 to 1:5. When the ratio is below 1:1, the width of the pad portion 422 may be insufficient, causing insufficient attachment force between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142. When the ratio exceeds 1:5, the area by which the pad portion 422 causes shading loss may be increased, resulting in greater shading loss. The ratio may range from 1:2 to 1:4 (more specifically, 1:2.5 to 1:4) when further considering the attachment force and the shading loss.

Alternatively, in one example, the width of the pad portion 422 may range from 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm. When the width of the pad portion 422 is below 0.25 mm, the contact area between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142 may be insufficient, and consequently, the attachment force between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142 may be insufficient. When the width of the pad portion 422 exceeds 2.5 mm, the area by which the pad portion 422 causes shading loss may be increased, resulting in greater shading loss. In one example, the width of the pad portion 422 may range from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.

In addition, the length of the pad portion 422 may be greater than the width of the finger line 42 a. For example, the length of the pad portion 422 may range from 0.035 mm to 30 mm. When the length of the pad portion 422 is below 0.035 mm, the contact area between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142 may be insufficient, and consequently, the attachment force between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142 may be insufficient. When the length of the pad portion 422 exceeds 30 mm, the area by which the pad portion 422 causes shading loss may be increased, resulting in greater shading loss.

Alternatively, in one example, the ratio of the width of the finger line 42 a to the length of the pad portion 422 may range from 1:1.1 to 1:20. With this range, the area for attachment between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142 may be increased, and consequently, the attachment force between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142 may be increased.

Alternatively, in one example, the ratio of the width of the interconnector 142 to the length of the pad portion 422 may range from 1:1 to 1:10. When the ratio is below 1:1, the length of the pad portion 422 may be insufficient, causing insufficient attachment force between the pad portion 422 and the interconnector 142. When the ratio exceeds 1:10, the area by which the pad portion 422 causes shading loss may be increased, resulting in greater shading loss. The ratio may range from 1:3 to 1:6 when further considering the attachment force and the shading loss.

One bus-bar line 42 b may include six to twenty-four pad portions 422 (e.g. twelve to twenty-two pad portions). The pad portions 422 may be spaced apart from one another. In one example, one pad portion 422 may be allotted to two to ten finger lines 42 a. Thereby, the portion in which the contact area between the bus-bar line 42 b and the interconnector 142 is increased is provided at a regular interval so as to increase the attachment force between the bus-bar line 42 b and the interconnector 142. Alternatively, the pad portions 422 may be arranged so that distances between the respective two pad portions 422 have different values. In particular, the pad portions 422 may be arranged at a high density on the end of the bus-bar line 42 b, to which greater force is applied than in the other portion (i.e. the central portion of the bus-bar line 42 b). Various other alterations are possible.

The above description has been focused on the first electrode 42 with reference to FIG. 5. The second electrode 44 may include finger lines and bus-bar lines, which correspond respectively to the finger lines 42 a and the bus-bar lines 42 b of the first electrode 42. The description related to the finger lines 42 a and the bus-bar lines 42 b of the first electrode 42 may be applied to the finger lines and the bus-bar lines of the second electrode 44. At this time, the description of the first conductive area 20 in relation to the first electrode 42 may be the same as the description of the second conductive area 30 in relation to the second electrode 44. In addition, the description of the first passivation film 22, the anti-reflection film 24 and the opening 102 in relation to the first electrode 42 may be the description of the second passivation film 30 and the opening 104 in relation to the second electrode 44.

At this time, the widths, the pitch, and the number of finger lines 42 a of the first electrode 42 and the line portion 421 and the pad portion 422 of each bus-bar line 42 b may be equal to the widths, the pitch, and the number of finger lines of the second electrode 44 and the line portion and the pad portion of each bus-bar line. Alternatively, the widths, the pitch, and the number of finger lines 42 a of the first electrode 42 and the line portion 421 and the pad portion 422 of each bus-bar line 42 b may differ from the widths, the pitch, and the number of finger lines of the second electrode 44 and the line portion and the pad portion of each bus-bar line. In one example, the electrode portion of the second electrode 44, into which a relatively small amount of light is introduced, may have a width greater than the width of the electrode portion of the first electrode 42 corresponding thereto, and the pitch between the finger lines of the second electrode 44 may be less than the pitch of the finger lines 42 a of the first electrode 42 corresponding thereto. Various other alterations are possible. However, the number and the pitch of the bus-bar lines 42 b of the first electrode 42 may be the same as to the number and the pitch of the bus-bar lines of the second electrode 44. In addition, the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 44 may have different planar shapes. For example, the second electrode 44 may be formed throughout the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 160. Various other alterations are possible.

According to the present embodiment, shading loss due to, for example, diffused reflection may be minimized through the use of the interconnector 142 in the form of a wire, and the movement path of carriers may be reduced by increasing the number of interconnectors 142 and reducing the pitch of the interconnectors 142. Thereby, the efficiency of the solar cell 150 and the output of the solar cell panel 100 may be enhanced. As described above, a great number of the interconnectors 142, which takes the form of a wire that has, for example, a circular cross-sectional shape and a small width, may be attached to the solar cell 150. Accordingly, there is a demand for an interconnector attachment apparatus, which may attach the interconnector 142 to the solar cell 150 with high attachment force despite a wire shape thereof and may attach a great number of the interconnectors 142 at the same time so as to enhance productivity. An interconnector attachment apparatus and an interconnector attachment method using the same according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 15 and FIGS. 16A to 16G.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating the configuration of a portion of an interconnector attachment apparatus for a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating the configuration of another portion of the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 8 is a conceptual view schematically illustrating a working table, a heat-source unit, and an upper fixing member supply unit of the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. For a simple illustration, in FIG. 7, the upper fixing member supply unit and a solar cell supply unit are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “interconnector attachment apparatus”), designated by reference numeral 200, may include an interconnector supply unit (or a first interconnector supply unit) 210 for unwinding the interconnector 142 from a winding roll 212 and supplying the interconnector 142 in the processing direction, a flux unit 220 for applying flux 224 to the supplied interconnector 142, a drying unit 230 for drying the flux 224, an interconnector discharge unit (or an interconnector fixing unit) 240 for fixing the interconnector 142 to a jig 243, and an attachment unit 250 for attaching the interconnector 142 to the solar cell 150. This will be described below in more detail.

The winding roll 212 may take the form of a cylinder. The interconnector 142 is wound in the circumferential direction of the cylinder. The interconnector 142, wound around the winding roll 212, is unwound from the winding roll 212 and is supplied in the processing direction. In the present embodiment, a plurality of winding rolls 212, which is the same in number as the number of interconnectors 142 to be disposed on one surface of the solar cell 150, may be provided. The winding rolls 212 may be arranged at a constant interval in the horizontal direction and/or the vertical direction, and the interconnectors 142 unwound from the winding rolls 212 may be aligned and moved by a guide 214 such that they are spaced apart from one another by the distance (pitch) at which they are to be arranged on the same surface of the solar cell 150. The guide 214 may have any of various structures for moving the interconnectors 142, which are arranged parallel to each other. In the present embodiment, in one example, the guide 214 may have a plurality of recesses (or concave portions) 214 a, which are spaced apart from one another by a constant distance so as to correspond to the respective interconnectors 142, and the respective interconnectors 142 may be moved in the processing direction (e.g. along the x-axis in the drawings) in the state in which positions thereof (e.g. positions on the y-axis and the z-axis in the drawings) are fixed by the recesses 214 a. For a simple illustration, although only one guide 214 is illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of guides 214 may be provided in the processing direction. The structure, shape and the like of the guide(s) 214 may be altered in various ways.

When the interconnectors 142 are moved while being arranged parallel to each other as described above, the multiple interconnectors 142 to be attached to one surface of each solar cell 150 may be subjected to a desired process at the same time, and may be attached to the solar cell 150 at the same time, which may simplify the process. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various other alterations are possible.

The interconnectors 142, unwound from the winding rolls 212 and aligned in a predetermined form, passes through the flux unit 220. The flux unit 220 applies the flux 224 to outer surfaces of the interconnectors 142 so as to form a flux layer (see reference numeral 224 a in FIG. 10). The flux 224 may serve to prevent oxidation of a metal material of the electrodes 42 and 44 or the interconnectors 142 when the interconnectors 142 are attached to the solar cell 150, or may serve to improve the attachability of the interconnectors 142 by removing an oxide film formed on the outer surfaces of the interconnectors 142. The flux 224 may include a solvent and a resin. In one example, the flux 224 may include an activator including a halogen element (e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, preferably, fluorine). Any oxide film formed on the outer surfaces of the interconnectors 142 may be easily removed by the activator including a halogen element.

In the present embodiment, the flux 224 may be applied to the outer surfaces of the interconnectors 142 via spraying. This will be described below in detail with reference to FIG. 9A to FIG. 12.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views illustrating the configuration of the flux unit 220 in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 for the solar cell panel of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a process of forming the flux layer 224 a via the flux unit 220 in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 for the solar cell panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a dipping process of forming the flux layer. FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating various examples of a spraying portion 222 a, which may be applied to the flux unit 220 in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 for the solar cell panel of FIG. 6. For a simple and clear illustration, only the spraying portion 222 a is illustrated in FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, in the present embodiment, the flux unit 220 includes a spray member 222 for spraying the flux 224 over the interconnectors 142, which are arranged side by side, and a supply member 226 for supplying the flux 224 to the spray member 222. At this time, the supply member 226 may include a recirculation member 226 a, which collects the flux 224 sprayed from the spray member 222 and provides the flux 224 to the spray member 222 so as to recirculate the flux 224, and a raw material supply member 226 b, which provides the flux 224 that has not been used to the recirculation member 226 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, in the present embodiment, the flux unit 220 may include the spray member 222 for spraying the flux 224 over the interconnectors 142, which are arranged side by side. When the flux 224 is applied to each interconnector 142 via spraying as described above, the flux 224 may be applied to a sufficient thickness over the entire interconnector 142 because the flux 224 is sprayed at a strong pressure to thereby be applied to the interconnector 142. That is, the flux 224 may be uniformly applied to the entire interconnector 142 regardless of the state of the surface of the interconnector 142. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, even if the interconnector 142 includes a portion A on which the flux 224 might not be well applied, and a portion B on which the flux 224 might be well applied, the flux 224 may be forcibly applied over the interconnector 142 with a strong pressure by the spray member 222, thereby being applied to a sufficient thickness on the entire interconnector 142. In one example, the portion A on which the flux 224 might not be well applied may be a portion that exhibits, for example, a poor surface state or cleanliness, has an oxide film formed thereon, has low surface roughness, or has a hydrophobic property. Also, the portion B on which the flux 224 might be well applied may be a portion that exhibits, for example, a good surface state or cleanliness, has no oxide film formed thereon, has high surface roughness or has a hydrophilic property. That is, even if the surface morphology (e.g. the distribution of the solder layer 142 b or the distribution of an oxide film) or cleanliness is not uniform, the flux 224 may be forcibly applied to the interconnector 142 with a strong pressure by the spray member 222, thereby being applied to a sufficient thickness over the entire interconnector 222. In particular, the flux 224 may be applied to a sufficient thickness over the entire area of the interconnector 142 having a rounded cross section.

In one example, the flux 224 may be formed over the entire longitudinal surface of the interconnector 142 (e.g. within a range from 95% to 100%, more specifically, within a range from 99% to 100% of the longitudinal surface), and the thickness of the flux 224 may range from 2 μm to 7 μm. Through the spraying described above, the flux 224 may be formed to a sufficient thickness over the entire surface of the interconnector 142.

In one example, in the present embodiment, the interconnector 142 may have a circular cross section. Because the flux 224 is applied to the interconnector 142 before the interconnector 142 is supplied to the solar cell 150, no flux may be applied to the surface of the solar cell 150. In addition, because the flux 224 is applied to the circular interconnector 142, the amount of flux 224 that is attached to the surface of the solar cell 150 may be minimized, which may ensure excellent performance of the solar cell 150.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 11, unlike the present embodiment, when the flux 224 is applied to the interconnector 142 by dipping the interconnector 142 into the flux 224, no flux layer 224 a may be formed on the portion at which the flux 224 might not be well applied because resistance attributable to surface tension may occur on the portion at which the flux 224 might not be well applied, thus causing air bubbles 224 c to form in the portion A. In particular, such resistance attributable to surface tension may become slightly greater when the cross section of the interconnector 142 has a rounded portion or is circular. That is, with respect to the interconnector 142 having a particular shape as described above, the possibility that the flux 224 is not formed over the entire interconnector 142 is increased when the flux 224 is applied via a dipping process unlike the present embodiment.

Referring again to FIG. 9B, a plurality of spray members 222 each including at least one spraying portion 222 a may be provided and/or each spray member 222 may include a plurality of spraying portions 222 a. When one spray member 222 including one spraying portion 222 a is provided, the distance D1 between the spray member 222 and the interconnectors 142 may be very large in order to apply the flux 224 to all of the interconnectors 142. Therefore, the multiple spray members 222 may be provided and/or each spray member 222 may include the multiple spraying portions 222 a, which may reduce the distance D1 between the spray members 222 and the interconnectors 142.

In one example, the distance D1 between the interconnectors 142 and the spray members 222 may range from 1 cm to 50 cm. When the distance D1 between the interconnectors 142 and the spray members 222 is less than 1 cm, the distance D1 between the interconnectors 142 and the spray members 222 may be too short to apply the flux 224 to all of the interconnectors 142, or a greater number of spray members 222 may be arranged. When the distance D1 between the interconnectors 142 and the spray members 222 exceeds 50 cm, the pressure at which the flux 224 sprayed from the spray members 222 reaches the interconnectors 142 may be too low to apply the flux 224 to all of the interconnectors 142. Moreover, the size of the flux unit 220 may be increased, which may make it difficult to reduce the size of the interconnector attachment apparatus 200. In one example, the distance D1 between the interconnectors 142 and the spray members 222 may range from 3 cm to 15 cm in order to stably apply the flux 224 to all of the interconnectors 142.

At this time, the pitch D2 between the neighboring spraying portions 222 a of the multiple spraying portions 222 a may range from 1 cm to 3 cm, and the pitch D3 between the interconnectors 142 may range from 0.5 cm to 2 cm. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The pitch D2 between the spraying portions 222 a may be changed depending on the number of spraying portions 222 a, and the pitch D3 between the interconnectors 142 may be determined so as to be sufficient to prevent interference between the interconnectors 142.

Alternatively, the ratio of the pitch D3 between the interconnectors 142 to the pitch D2 between the neighboring spraying portions 222 a of the multiple spraying portions 222 a may range from 1:1 to 1:4. The flux 224 sprayed from the spraying portion 222 a spreads widely over the region in which the interconnectors 142 are arranged, thereby being applied to all of the interconnectors 142 at the same time. Based on this range, at least some of the flux 224 sprayed (more particularly, laterally sprayed) from the two neighboring spraying portions 222 a may overlap in the region in which the interconnectors 142 are arranged. Thereby, the flux 224 may be uniformly sprayed over the interconnectors 142.

In addition, in one example, the pressure at which the flux 224 is sprayed from the spraying portions 222 a may range from 0.15 MPa to 0.4 MPa. When the pressure at which the flux 224 is sprayed from the spraying portions 222 a is below 0.15 MPa, the spraying pressure may be insufficient, thus preventing the flux 224 from being uniformly sprayed over the interconnectors 142. When the pressure at which the flux 224 is sprayed from the spraying portions 222 a exceeds 0.4 MPa, excessive pressure may be applied to the interconnectors 142, thus causing variation in the property of the interconnectors 142. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the spraying pressure may have different values depending on, for example, the width of the interconnectors 142 or the distance D1 between the interconnectors 142 and the spray members 222.

FIG. 9B illustrates that one spraying portion 222 a is located so as to spray the flux 224 to one interconnector 142. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one spraying portion 222 a may be located so as to spray the flux 224 over multiple interconnectors 142, or multiple spraying portions 222 a may be located so as to spray the flux 224 over one interconnector 142.

In addition, FIG. 9B and (a) of FIG. 12 illustrate that each spraying portion 222 a includes one spray hole 222 b for spraying the flux 224. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, as illustrated in (b) and (c) of FIG. 12, each spraying portion 222 a may include a plurality of spray holes 222 b, and the arrangement of the spray holes 222 b may be altered in various ways.

The drawings illustrate that the spray member 222 is located at the upper side of the interconnectors 142 so as to stably spray the flux 224 over the interconnectors 142 under the influence of gravity. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The position of the spray member 222 may be altered in various ways, and for example, the spray member 222 may be located at the lower side or at the lateral side of the interconnectors 142.

As described above, through the provision of the spray member 222, the flux 224 may be uniformly applied over the entire interconnector 142. However, the amount of flux 224 that is sprayed from the spray member 222 but is disused rather than being applied to the interconnector 142 may be increased, and such disuse of flux 224 may cause a considerable increase in cost. In consideration of this, in the present embodiment, the supply member 226, which supplies the flux 224, includes the recirculation member 226 a, which collects the flux 224 sprayed from the spray member 222 and provides the collected flux 224. At this time, the supply member 226 may further include the raw material supply member 226 b for providing the unused flux 224 to the recirculation member 226 a. Thereby, when the amount of recollected and recirculated flux 224 is not sufficient, new flux 224 that has not been used may be provided to the recirculation member 226 a so that a sufficient amount of flux 224 may be provided to the spray member 222.

More specifically, the recirculation member 226 a may include a reservoir 2262 located below the spray member 222 for accommodating the flux 224 sprayed from the spray member 222, a drain tank 2264 connected to the reservoir 2262 for collecting the flux 224 discharged from the reservoir 2262, and a drive member 2266 for supplying a desired amount of the flux 224 collected in the drain tank 2264 to the spray member 222. The drive member 2266 may be any of various components, such as, for example, a pump, which may provide a desired amount of the flux 224 in the drain tank 2264 to the spray member 222.

The raw material supply member 226 b may be connected to the recirculation member 226 a so as to provide new flux 225 that has not been used to the recirculation member 226 a. As illustrated, in one example, the raw material supply member 226 b may include a supply tank 2268, which is connected to the drain tank 2264 for providing new flux 224 to the drain tank 2264. Thereby, the flux 224 that is used and the flux 224 that has not been used may be uniformly mixed in the drain tank 2264, and the mixed flux 224 may be provided through a supply pipe 2264 a. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various other alterations are possible. For example, the raw material supply member 226 b may be connected to the supply pipe 2264 a, or may be directly connected to the spray member 222.

An adjusting member 2269, which may adjust the amount of supply of the flux 224, may be located between the drain tank 2264 and the supply tank 2268. The adjusting member 2269 may be any of various components, such as, for example, a pump or a valve, which may supply new flux 224 stored in the supply tank 2268 in a desired amount at a desired time.

The reservoir 2262 may have an inner space, which is located below the spray member 222 so that the flux 224 sprayed from the spray member 222 falls down and is accommodated in the inner space. The flux 224 accommodated in the reservoir 2262 may flow along a connection pipe 2262 b between the reservoir 2262 and the drain tank 2264 through a discharge hole 2262 a, thereby being collected in the drain tank 2264.

The discharge hole 2262 a may be located in various positions in the reservoir 2262 for discharging the flux 224. In one example, the discharge hole 2262 a may be located in the bottom surface of the reservoir 2262. At this time, the bottom surface around the discharge hole 2262 a may be inclined downward toward the discharge hole 2262 a. As such, the flux 224 in the reservoir 2262 may easily move to the discharge hole 2262 a along the inclined surface, thereby being discharged through the discharge hole 2262 a. In addition, a mesh 2262 c for filtering impurities may be located in or above the discharge hole 2262 a. Thereby, only the flux 224 to be recirculated may be discharged through the discharge hole 2262 a.

The supply pipe 2264 a for connecting the drain tank 2264 and the spray member 222 to each other may be provided. The amount, concentration or the like of the flux 224 flowing in the supply pipe 2264 a, or the amount, concentration or the like of the flux 224 supplied to the spray member 222 may be measured using a sensor. In one example, the amount, concentration or the like of the flux 224 may be checked in real time using a sensor. Then, when the amount of the flux 224 is insufficient, or when the concentration of the flux 224 becomes higher than a predetermined reference value due to recirculation, the raw material supply member 226 b supplies new flux 224 to the drain tank 2264. In particular, because the recirculated flux 224 may be gradually increased in concentration, the raw material supply member 226 b provides new flux 224, which has not been used and has a lower concentration than the recirculated flux 224, when the concentration becomes higher than a predetermined reference value, in order to reduce the concentration of the flux 224.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a shield 2262 d may be provided so as to seal the space between the spray member 222 and the reservoir 2262 from the outside. As such, the space between the spray member 222 and the reservoir 2262 may be shielded and sealed from the outside during spraying. Thereby, the flux 224 may be sprayed at a high pressure, the vaporization of the flux 224 may be minimized, and the leakage of the flux 224 during spraying may be prevented.

In one example, the shield 2262 d may be shaped so as to surround the circumference of the space between the spray member 222 and the reservoir 2262 and may be vertically movable. As such, the shield 2262 a may be located at a first position for allowing the space between the spray member 222 and the reservoir 2262 to communicate with the outside when the interconnectors 142 are introduced into or discharged from the space, thereby ensuring easy movement of the interconnectors 142. In addition, while the spraying is performed, the shield 2262 d may be located at a second position for sealing the space between the spray member 222 and the reservoir 2262. Alternatively, the shield 2262 d may take the form of a chamber, which accommodates the spray member 222 and the reservoir 2262 therein and includes a door for passage of the interconnectors 142. The shield 2262 d may have any of various other structures, methods, shapes, and the like.

According to the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, the interconnector 142, which includes a rounded portion and the solder layer 142 b for soldering, may be attached to the solar cell 150 using an automated system. In addition, because the recirculation member 226 a is provided for recirculating and reuse of the flux 224, manufacturing costs may be considerably reduced. In particular, the spraying process may be used in order to uniformly form the flux layer 224 a on the interconnector 142 having a rounded portion. In the spraying process, the amount of the flux 224 that is sprayed but is not used to form the flux layer, 224 a may be considerably greater than in other processes. The recirculation member 226 a according to the present embodiment may remarkably reduce the waste of the flux 224, which may occur in the spraying process, because the recirculation member 226 a is included in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the flux 224, applied to the interconnectors 142 that have passed through the flux unit 220, is hardened while passing through the drying unit 230, thereby forming the flux layer 224 a around the outer circumferential surface of each interconnector 142. The thickness of the flux layer 224 a formed as described above may range from 2 μm to 7 μm. When the flux layer 224 a has such as thickness, oxides located on the surfaces of the interconnectors 142 may be effectively removed, which may improve the bonding property of the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the thickness of the flux layer 224 a may have different values.

The drying unit 230 may have any of various structures for drying the flux 224. In one example, the drying unit 230 may dry the flux 224 using wind, heat or the like. The present invention is not limited as to the structure, method and the like of the drying unit 230.

The drying process in the drying unit 230 may be performed at a process temperature within a range from 70° C. to 90° C. for 1 second to 10 minutes. When the process temperature is below 70° C. or when the process time is below 1 second, thorough drying may not be achieved. When the process temperature exceeds 90° C., or when the process time exceeds 10 minutes, process costs and time may increase. The time of the drying process may range from 1 second to 5 seconds in consideration of, for example, process efficiency. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the process temperature and time may have different values.

For a simple and clear illustration, the detailed structures of the drying unit 230 are not illustrated, and various structures may be applied thereto. The flux unit 220 and the drying unit 230 may be located within a single body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The arrangement and the like of the flux unit 220 and the drying unit 230 may be altered in various ways.

The interconnectors 142 that have passed through the drying unit 230 are fixed to the jig 243 in the interconnector discharge unit 240.

The jig 243 is provided in the interconnector discharge unit 240, and includes first and second fixing parts 241 and 242, which fix the interconnectors 142 respectively on one side and the other side of the interconnectors 142. At this time, the interconnectors 142 are cut by a cutter 244 so that they have a length suitable for interconnecting two neighboring solar cells 150 or interconnecting the solar cell 150 and the bus ribbon (see reference numeral 145 in FIG. 1) when they are fixed to the jig 243.

In the present embodiment, the jig 243 may include the first fixing part 241, which is formed, on one side of the interconnectors 142, in the direction crossing the direction in which the interconnectors 142 extend so as to fix the interconnectors 142, and the second fixing part 242, which is formed, on the other side of the interconnectors 142, in the direction crossing the direction in which the interconnectors 142 extend so as to fix the interconnectors 142. In one example, each of the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242 may have a linear shape and may extend a long length. The second fixing part 242 may be installed so as to be movable (e.g. movable along the x-axis in the drawings) between the position close to the first fixing part 241 and the position at which the interconnectors 142 having a predetermined length are discharged.

In the jig 243 connected to the interconnectors 142, the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242 are spaced apart from each other by a constant distance so as to continuously pull the interconnectors 142 interposed therebetween. Because the interconnectors 142 are configured as, for example, wires having a small width, when the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242 continuously pull the interconnectors 142 as described above, the interconnectors 142 are plastically deformed and thus is no longer deformed. In the present embodiment, because the jig 243 includes the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 for fixing both ends of the interconnectors 142, the interconnectors 142 may have a simplifies structure that maintains a predetermined yield strength. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the structure of the jig 243 may be altered in various ways.

In one example, the first fixing part 241, which is located on one side of the jig 243 (e.g. the entrance side), is movable along three axes (the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis of FIG. 6), which cross one another by an angle at least as large as a right angle, and the second fixing part 242, which is located on the other side of the jig 243 (e.g. the exit side), is movable along three axes (the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis of FIG. 6), which cross one another by an angle at least as large as a right angle. The first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 may be moved to desired positions using various known structures or methods. In addition, the cutter 244 may be located on one side of the jig 243 (e.g. the entrance side) before the first fixing part 241.

The cutter 244 may adopt any of various structures and any of various methods for allowing free movement of the interconnectors 142, or for fixing the interconnectors 142 at predetermined positions or cutting the interconnectors 142 at the fixed positions. The structure of the cutter 244 will be described below in more detail with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an operation of the cutter 244 included in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the cutter 244 may include a first part 2441 and a second part 2442, and the second part 2442 may move relative to the first part 2441 in the left-to-right direction (e.g. along the y-axis in the drawings), which is perpendicular to the processing direction of the interconnectors 142. The first part 2441 may include a plurality of first recesses (or first concave portions) R1, through which the respective interconnectors 142 may pass, and the second part 2442 may include a plurality of second recesses (or second concave portions) R2, through which the respective interconnectors 142 may pass. Both side surfaces of the first recess R1 of the first part 2441 may be configured as flat surfaces 2442 a that are not sharp, so as to fix the interconnector 142 thereto without damage thereto. In addition, one side surface of the second recess R2 of the second part 2442 may be configured as the flat surface 2442 a that is not sharp, so as to fix the interconnector 142 thereto without damage thereto, and the other side surface may be provided with a sharp cutting blade 2442 b for cutting the interconnector 142. The cutting blade 2442 b may protrude further than one surface of the second part 2442 in the processing direction so as to cut the interconnector 142 at the protruding position. Thereby, the interconnector 142, cut by the cutter 244, may be fixed in the cutter 244 at the position at which the interconnector 142 protrudes further than the surface of the second part 2442 of the cutter 244.

As described above, because the second part 2442 may move relative to the first part 2441 in the left-to-right direction, the width that the first recess R1 and the second recess R2 overlap each other may be freely adjusted. As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 13, when the width that the first recess R1 and the second recess R2 overlap each other is greater than the width of the interconnector 142, the interconnector 142 may freely move. As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 13, when the width that the first recess R1 and the second recess R2 overlap each other is equal to the width of the interconnector 142, the interconnector 142 may be fixed by the first part 2441 and the second part 2442. In addition, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 13, when the cutting blade 2442 b moves across the interconnector 142 and subsequently moves so that the width that the first recess R1 and the second recess R2 overlap each other becomes equal to the width of the interconnector 142, the interconnector 142 may be cut by the cutting blade 2442 b and the remaining interconnector 142 may remain fixed in the cutter 244.

The structure and method of the cutter 244 as illustrated in the drawings and described above show that the cutter 244 is formed so as to guide and fix the interconnectors 142 to and at predetermined positions and to perform cutting thereon. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cutter 244 may adopt any of various structures and any of methods for cutting the interconnector 142 to a predetermined length before or after the interconnector 142 is fixed to the jig 243.

In addition, the first fixing part 241 may adopt any of various structures and any of various methods for fixing the interconnectors 142 at predetermined positions or moving the interconnectors 142. For example, the first fixing part 241 may clamp the interconnectors 142 so that the interconnectors 142 are fitted into and fixed to the first fixing part 241.

In one example, in the present embodiment, the first fixing part 241 may include a first part 2411 and a second part 2412, and the second part 2412 may move relative to the first part 2411 in the left-to-right direction (e.g. along the y-axis in the drawings), which is perpendicular to the processing direction of the interconnectors 142. The first part 2411 includes a first clamp PA, which corresponds to each interconnector 142 and is located on and comes into contact with one side of the interconnector 142 so as to extend toward the second part 2412 in the longitudinal direction of the interconnector 142, and the second part 2412 includes a second clamp PB, which corresponds to each interconnector 142 and is located on and comes into contact with the other side of the interconnector 142 so as to extend toward the first part 2411 in the longitudinal direction of the interconnector 142. As such, the interconnector 142 may be clamped and stably fixed in the longitudinal direction between the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB.

In one example, as illustrated, the first part 2411 may include a first protruding portion P11, which protrudes downward from the other side of the interconnector 142, a second portion P12, which protrudes from the first protruding portion P11 in the longitudinal direction of the first part 2411 so as to extend to one side of the interconnector 142, and a third protruding portion P13, which protrudes downward from the second portion P12. At this time, the first clamp PA may be located on the third protruding portion P13. Similarly, the second part 2412 may include a first protruding portion P21, which protrudes downward from one side of the interconnector 142, a second portion P22, which protrudes from the first protruding portion P21 in the longitudinal direction of the second part 2412 so as to extend to the other side of the interconnector 142, and a third protruding portion P23, which protrudes downward from the second portion P22. At this time, the second clamp PB may be located on the third protruding portion P23. With this structure, the interconnector 142 may be stably clamped.

In the state in which the interconnector 142 is located between the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB, when the second part 2412 moves relative to the first part 2411 so that the distance between the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB is reduced until the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB come into close contact with respective opposite sides of the interconnector 142, the interconnector 142 may be stably fixed between the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB. Contrary, when the second part 2412 moves relative to the first part 2411 so that the distance between the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB is increased until the distance between the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB becomes greater than the width of the interconnector 142, the interconnector 142 may be stably separated or released from the first clamp PA and the second clamp PB.

Similarly, the second fixing part 242 may include a first part 2421, which includes a first clamp PA and a first fixing piece P1 (i.e. the first to third protruding portions P11, P12 and P13), and a second part 2421, which includes a second clamp PB and a second fixing piece P2 (i.e. the first to third protruding portions P21, P22 and P23). The description related to the first fixing part 241 may be directly applied to the second fixing part 242, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Although the first and second parts 2411 and 2412 and 2421 and 2422, provided with the clamps PA and PB, move relative to each other so as to clamp the interconnector 142 in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, various other structures may be applied to the structure of the clamps PA and PB, the structure of the first and second fixing pieces P1 and P2, and the structure of the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242.

In addition, the fixing unit 240 may further include a fixing member 246, located before the cutter 244, for fixing the interconnectors 142 during cutting. In one example, the present embodiment illustrates that the fixing member 246 has elements corresponding to the interconnectors 142 in a one-to-one ratio and is configured to push and fix the interconnector 142 when the interconnectors 142 are fixed without movement. A plurality of fixing members 246 may be spaced apart from one another at a constant distance. As such, when the interconnectors 142 are moved, cut, or fixed to the jig 243, the interconnectors 142 may be stably moved or fixed via control of the driving of the fixing members 246. Although the drawings illustrate that two fixing members 246 are provided so that a minimum number of fixing members 246 stably perform the movement or fixing of the interconnector 142, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various other structures may be applied to the structure of the fixing members 246, and the present invention is not limited as to the number of fixing members 246.

The jig 243, to which the interconnectors 142 have been fixed, (i.e. the jig-interconnector coupling), moves to the attachment unit 250. In one example, the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 may be driven in various directions (e.g. in the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis of the drawings) while maintaining a constant distance therebetween. Accordingly, the interconnectors 142 move to the attachment unit 250 while remaining fixed to the jig 243 so as not to be unintentionally deformed.

Various known structures may be applied as the structure for moving the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 to a desired position. In addition, various structures may be applied as the structure for fixing the interconnectors 142 by the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242.

Referring to FIG. 7, the attachment unit 250 attaches the interconnectors 142 to the solar cell 150 by applying heat thereto via a heat source 258 in the state in which pressure is applied to fix the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 to each other. At this time, in the present embodiment, the jig 243 is separated from the interconnectors 142 after fixing the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 to each other, and the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 pass through the heat source 258 in the absence of the jig 243.

In the present embodiment, the jig 243 is removed in the state in which the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 are pressed together using exhaust adsorption. That is, in the state in which the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 are adsorbed and fixed to each other via exhaust without the jig 243, the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 pass through the heat source 258. Thereby, the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 may be stably fixed to each other via a simple method. In addition, because the jig 243 may be returned to the interconnector discharge unit 240 after transferring the interconnectors 142 to the attachment unit 250, the number of jigs 243 to be operated in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 may be very small. Productivity may be considerably increased when the number of jigs 243 to be operated is reduced.

An exhaust device (or a vacuum device) 259 for discharging air for exhaust adsorption may be provided. A pump, a compressor or the like may be used as the exhaust device 259, but devices that adopt various other structures, methods, and shapes may be used. Although the exhaust device 259 may be conceptually illustrated below the right side of the attachment unit 250 of FIG. 7 in order to assist understanding, the exhaust device 259 may be located outside the attachment unit 250 so as to be connected to the attachment unit 250 in practice.

At this time, a working table may be configured as a conveyor belt 252 so as to ensure easy exhaust adsorption and easy movement of the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 to the heat source 258. In the present embodiment, a plurality of conveyor belts 252 may be spaced apart from one another. Thereby, the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 may be more easily pressed together because the discharge of air is possible between the conveyor belts 252. In addition, the conveyor belts 252 may have a small width, and thus may be easily driven.

Each conveyor belt 252 may have an exhaust hole 252 a therein. Thereby, the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 may be effectively pressed together when the exhaust device 259 performs the discharge of air through the exhaust hole 252 a. The exhaust device 259 may have a structure for discharging air through the exhaust hole 252 a.

In one example, opposite edge portions of each conveyor belt 252 may be provided with the respective interconnector 142, and a center portion of the conveyor belt 252 may be provided with a plurality of exhaust holes 252 a, which are spaced apart from one another by a constant distance in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 252. As such, the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 may be effectively pressed together via the discharge of air between the two adjacent conveyor belts 252 as well as the discharge of air through the exhaust holes 252 a in the respective conveyor belts 252. Thereby, the fixing stability of the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 may be improved.

At this time, a third fixing part 254 may be located on one side of the conveyor belts 252 (before the beginning portion of the conveyor belts 252) to prevent deviation in the positions of the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 when the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 are fixed using exhaust adsorption. The third fixing part 254 remains fixed at a constant position relative to the conveyor belts 252.

The third fixing part 254 may adopt any of various structures and any of various methods for fixing the interconnectors 142 at constant positions or moving the interconnectors 142. In one example, in the present embodiment, the third fixing part 254 may include a first part 2541 and a second part 2542, and the second part 2542 may move relative to the first part 2541 in the left-to-right direction (e.g. along the y-axis in the drawings), which is perpendicular to the direction in which the interconnectors 142 extend.

The first part 2541 includes a first clamp PA, which is formed in the longitudinal direction of the interconnector 142 so as to come into close contact with one side of the interconnector 142, and a second clamp PB, which is formed in the longitudinal direction of the interconnector 142 so as to come into close contact with the other side of the interconnector 142. In addition, the first part 2541 may include a first fixing piece P1, which includes a first protruding portion P11 protruding upward from the other side of the interconnector 142, a second portion P12 extending from the first protruding portion P11 to one side of the interconnector 142 in the longitudinal direction of the first part 2541, and a third protruding portion P13 protruding upward from the second portion P12. At this time, the first clamp PA may be located on the third protruding portion P13. Similarly, the second part 2542 may include a second fixing piece P2, which includes a first protruding portion P21 protruding upward from one side of the interconnector 142, a second portion P22 extending from the first protruding portion P21 to the other side of the interconnector 142 in the longitudinal direction of the second part 2542, and a third protruding portion P23 protruding upward from the second portion P22. At this time, the second clamp PB may be located on the third protruding portion P23. With this structure, the interconnector 142 may be stably clamped.

The interconnector 142 may be stably fixed without interfering with the first fixing part 241 because the first clamp PA, the first fixing piece P1, the second clamp PB and the second fixing piece P2 of the third fixing part 254 protrude upward, unlike the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242. With the exception that the first clamp PA, the first fixing piece P1, the second clamp PB and the second fixing piece P2 protrude upward, rather than downward, the first clamp PA, the first fixing piece P1, the second clamp PB and the second fixing piece P2 are the same as those of the first or second fixing part 241 or 242, and thus, the above description related to those of the first or second fixing part 241 or 242 may be directly applied thereto.

Although the present embodiment illustrates that the first and second parts 2541 and 2542 having the clamps PA and PB move relative to each other so as to clamp the interconnector 142, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, various other structures may be applied as the structure of the clamps PA and PB, the structure of the first and second fixing pieces P1 and P2, and the structure of the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242.

A solar cell supply unit (see reference numeral 251 in FIG. 15) for supplying the solar cell 150 may be provided above the conveyor belts 252. The solar cell supply unit 251 may not be connected to the working table 252, to the heat source 258, or to an upper fixing member supply unit 2560, may be driven by an individual drive unit, and may serve to supply the solar cell 150 to the working table 252. Various known structures and methods may be applied to the solar cell supply unit 251.

The upper fixing member supply unit 2560 may be located above the conveyor belts 252 and may serve to provide an upper fixing member (or a fixing jig) 256, which may fix the interconnectors 142 over the solar cell 150.

Referring to FIG. 8, the upper fixing member 256, supplied from the upper fixing member supply unit 2560, fixes the interconnectors 142 over the solar cell 150, prior to being introduced into the heat source 258. Then, the upper fixing member 256, which fixes the interconnectors 142 over the solar cell 150, passes through the heat source 258 along with the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150. The solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 are attached to each other while the upper fixing member 256 passes through the heat source 258. After passing through the heat source 258, the upper fixing member 256 may be separated from the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142, and may be returned to the upper fixing member supply unit 2560. At this time, the upper fixing member supply unit 2560 may be driven by an individual drive unit without being connected to the working table 252, to the heat source 258 or the like, and may serve to provide the upper fixing member 256 to the upper side of the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142.

In one example, the upper fixing member supply unit 2560 may be located so as to extend from a position before the heat source 258 to a position after the heat source 258, thereby easily supplying the upper fixing member 256 to the upper side of the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 and easily collecting the upper fixing member 256 that has passed through the heat source 258 at the position after the heat source 258. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The upper fixing member supply unit 2560 may include a plurality of upper fixing members 256. As such, while one upper fixing member 256 is passing through the heat source 258, another upper fixing member 256 may fix the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 located after the heat source 258. In this way, a process of successively attaching the solar cells 150 may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the upper fixing member 256 may include a frame unit 2562; 2566, and a plurality of fixing pieces 2564 fixed to the frame unit 2562; 2566 so as to fix the interconnectors 142. The upper fixing member 256 will be described below in detail with reference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the solar cell 150 and interconnectors 142 disposed thereon are fixed using the upper fixing member 256 included in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 14, the frame unit 2562 and 2566 may have any of various shapes for fixing the fixing pieces 2564. In one example, the frame unit may include a plurality of first parts 2562 arranged in the direction crossing the direction in which the interconnectors 142 extend, and second parts 2566 for connecting the first parts 2562 to one another at opposite sides thereof. As such, the structure of the upper fixing member 256 may be simplified and the fixing pieces 2564 may be stably fixed.

The fixing pieces 2564 may be located on the first parts 2562 at positions corresponding to the respective interconnectors 142. The fixing pieces 2564 may be located on the respective first parts 2562 so that one interconnector 142 is fixed by the multiple fixing pieces 2464.

Each fixing piece 2564 may have any of various structures for pushing and fixing the interconnector 142. More specifically, the fixing piece 2564 may be formed of an elastic member. In one example, the fixing piece 2564 may have an obliquely bent portion. As such, when the interconnector 142 is located below the bent portion of the fixing piece 2564, the bent portion of the fixing piece 2564 may elastically push the interconnector 142 so as to apply pressure thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the structure, method and the like of the upper fixing member (or the fixing jig) 256 may be altered in various ways.

The heat source 258 applies heat to the solar cell 150 at the upper side or the lower side of the conveyor belts 252. The interconnectors 142 may be attached to the electrodes 42 and 44 of the solar cell 150 (more particularly, the pad portions 424) as the solder layers 142 b of the interconnectors 142 are melted and soldered by heat supplied from the heat source 258. In the present embodiment, because the heat source 258 directly applies heat, the time of the attachment process may be reduced and the attachability may be improved. In one example, the heat source 258 may be an infrared lamp. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the heat source 258 may adopt any of various structures and any of various methods for supplying heat.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15 as well as FIGS. 6 to 9, the interconnectors 142, supplied from the interconnector supply unit 210, are provided to the interconnector discharge unit 240 after passing through the flux unit 220 and the drying unit 230. In the interconnector discharge unit 240, only the interconnectors 142 are fixed to the jig 243 so as to form an interconnector-jig coupling, separately from the solar cell 150.

The formed interconnector-jig coupling is provided to the working table 252. In addition, the solar cell 150 is provided from the solar cell supply unit 251 to the working table 252. At this time, the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 located therebelow are fixed to each other on the working table 252 via adsorption, and the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 located thereabove are fixed to each other by the upper fixing member 256, which is located above them. Once the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 are fixed to each other by the working table 252 or the upper fixing member 256, the jig 243, which has fixed to the interconnectors 142, is separated from the interconnectors 142 and is returned to the interconnector discharge unit 240. As such, the working table 252 serves not only to transport the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150, but also to fix the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 located therebelow at predetermined aligned positions to each other.

Then, as the solar cell 150, the interconnectors 142, and the upper fixing member 256 together pass through the heat source 258, the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 are attached to each other so as to form solar cell strings. The upper fixing member 256 that has passed through the heat source 258 is separated from the solar cell 150 and the interconnectors 142 and is returned to the upper fixing member supply unit 2560.

The operation of the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 and the interconnector attachment method according to the present embodiment will be described below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 15 and FIGS. 16A to 16G.

FIGS. 16A to 16G are views for explaining the operation of the attachment unit 250 included in the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 of FIG. 7.

The multiple interconnectors 142 (more specifically, first interconnectors 1421), which are aligned so as to be spaced apart from one another in the same plane, are provided to the flux unit 220 and the drying unit 230 by the interconnector supply unit 210. Thereby, flux layers are formed on the outer surfaces of the first interconnectors 1421 so as to improve the attachability of the first interconnectors 1421. For reference, in the present embodiment, the interconnectors 142 that are initially located only below the first solar cell 151 and are attached thereto are referred to as the first interconnectors 1421, and the interconnectors 142 that interconnect the first solar cell 151 and the second solar cell 152 are referred to as second interconnectors 1422. However, the terms “the first interconnectors 1421” and “the second interconnectors 1422” are used only for distinction therebetween, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first interconnectors 1421, fixed to the cutter 244 and the fixing member 246, are located so as to protrude further than the flat surface of the second part 2442 of the cutter 244. In this state, the second fixing part 242 moves in the direction opposite the processing direction (e.g. in the negative x-axis direction in the drawings) until it reaches the position at which the first interconnectors 1421 protruding from the cutter 244 are located. At this time, the first fixing part 241 moves upward or downward so that it does not prevent the second fixing part 242 from reaching the first interconnectors 1421, which protrude from the cutter 244. In addition, when the second part 2422 of the second fixing part 242 moves in the left-to-right direction (the y-axis) to adjust the distance between the clamps PA and PB, the first interconnectors 1421 that are fixed to the cutter 244 are fixed to the second fixing part 242.

Subsequently, the fixing member 246 moves to the position at which it does not fix the first interconnectors 1421, and the cutter 244 is released so as not to fix the first interconnectors 1421 as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 13. Thereby, the first interconnector 1421 may be freely movable, rather than being fixed to the cutter 244.

Subsequently, the second fixing part 242 moves in the processing direction (i.e. in the positive x-axis direction in the drawings) by the desired length of the first interconnectors 1421, and the first fixing part 241 moves to the position at which it may fix the first interconnectors 1421 so as to fix one side of the first interconnectors 1421 at the position close to the cutter 244. In addition, the fixing member 246 pushes the first interconnectors 1421 so as to fix the positions of the first interconnectors 1421.

In this state, the cutter 244 operates as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 13 so as to cut the first interconnectors 1421 at the same time. As such, opposite ends of the cut first interconnectors 142 are supported by the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242. Thereby, all of the first interconnectors 1421, having been cut to the desired length, are fixed to the jig 243 so as to form a first jig-interconnector coupling. At this time, the first interconnectors 1421, fixed between the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242, are plastically deformed upon receiving longitudinal tensile force, and after being plastically deformed, are no longer deformed between the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242, which are maintained at a constant distance. Thereby, the first interconnectors 1421, fixed to the jig 243, are no longer deformed even if the jig 243 moves.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the jig 243, to which the first interconnectors 1421 are fixed, moves to the working table (i.e. the conveyor belts 252), and the first interconnectors 1421 and the first solar cell 151 are fixed to each other on the working table. Thereby, the first interconnectors 142 are located on the conveyor belt 252.

More specifically, first, as illustrated in FIG. 16A, the jig 243, to which the first interconnectors 1421 are fixed (i.e. the first interconnector-jig coupling), is placed on the conveyor belts 252 that configure the working table. In this state, the third fixing part 254, which is located on one side of the conveyor belts 252, catches and fixes the first interconnectors 1421, which have been fixed to the first fixing part 241, between the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242. That is, when the first interconnectors 1421 are located between a first clamp P1 and a second clamp P2 of the third fixing part 254 and the second part 2542 of the third fixing part 254 moves in the left-and-right direction (i.e. along the y-axis in the drawings) so as to adjust the distance between the first clamp P1 and the second clamp P2, the first interconnectors 1421 are fixed to the third fixing part 254. Then, the first fixing part 241 is released from the first interconnectors 1421. At this time, the first interconnectors 1421 may have a first length, which is slightly longer than the first solar cell 151 and is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first solar cell 151 and the second solar cell 152, so as to allow the first connectors 1421 to be connected to the bus ribbon (see reference numeral 145 in FIG. 1). When the third fixing part 254 fixes one side of the first interconnectors 1421, the first interconnectors 1421 may be stably fixed to the working table because the third fixing part 254 maintains a constant positional relationship with the working table at one side of the working table.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, an exhaust operation is performed using the exhaust device 259 in the state in which the first solar cell 151 supplied from the solar cell supply unit 251 moves to the upper side of the conveyor belts 252 and the first interconnectors 1421. Thereby, through the discharge of air through the exhaust holes 252 a, the first solar cell 151 is adsorbed by the conveyor belts 252, thereby being fixed to the conveyor belts 252 while pressing the first interconnectors 1421. At this time, the first fixing part 241 may be located above the first solar cell 151 so that it does not prevent the first solar cell 151 from being adsorbed to the working table 252 above the first interconnectors 1421. As described above, because the first interconnectors 1421 have the first length, which is greater than the length of the first solar cell 151, and the second fixing part 242 is spaced apart from the first solar cell 151 by a predetermined distance, the second fixing part 242, which is fastened to the first interconnectors 1421, does not prevent the first solar cell 151 from being adsorbed and fixed to the working table 252.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 16C, the second fixing part 242 is released so that the jig 243 is separated from the first interconnectors 1421. At this time, the third fixing part 243 is released along with the second fixing part 242 so that the first interconnectors 1421 and the first solar cell 151, which are fixed to each other, are movable via movement of the conveyor belts 252. Even if the third fixing part 254 and the second fixing part 242 are released, the conveyor belts 252, the first interconnectors 1421, and the first solar cell 151 are stably fixed to one another via exhaust adsorption. In this way, the jig 243 is completely separated from the first interconnectors 1421, and the separated jig 243 is returned to the interconnector discharge unit 240.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 16D, the first solar cell 151 and the first interconnectors 142 disposed on the lower surface of the first solar cell 151 are moved in the processing direction by the conveyor belts 252.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIGS. 16E and 16F, other interconnectors 142 (i.e. a plurality of second interconnectors 1422) are placed over the upper surface of the first solar cell 151. A portion of each second interconnector 1422 is fixed over the upper surface of the first solar cell 151, and the second solar cell 152 is fixed over another portion of the second interconnector 1422.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 16E, the jig 243, to which the second interconnectors 1422 are fixed (i.e. a second interconnector-jig coupling), is located so as to move from the third fixing part 254 and pass through the first solar cell 151, which is located over the conveyor belts 252. In order to allow the second interconnectors 1422 to be disposed on the upper surface of the first solar cell 151, the second fixing part 242 may be located on the position close to one edge of the first solar cell 151, or the position after the first solar cell 151.

The second interconnector-jig coupling may be formed via the same method as the method of forming the first interconnector-jig coupling by the interconnector discharge unit 240. The second interconnectors 1422 may have a second length, which is longer than the sum of the lengths of the two solar cells (i.e. the first and second solar cells 151 and 152), so as to interconnect the first and second solar cells 151 and 152.

In this state, the third fixing part 254, which is located on one side of the conveyor belt 252, is fastened to the second interconnectors 1422 so as to catch and fix the second interconnectors 1422, which have been fixed to the first fixing part 241, and the first fixing part 241 releases the fastening of the second interconnectors 1422.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16F, the second solar cell 152 is placed over the portions of the upper surface of the second interconnectors 1422, which are located over the conveyor belts 252 at the position subsequent to the first solar cell 150. As the second solar cell 152 and the second interconnectors 1422 are adsorbed by the conveyor belts 252 via exhaust adsorption of the conveyor belts 252, the second interconnectors 1422 are fixed to the second solar cell 152. In addition, the upper fixing member 256 is located over the second interconnectors 1422 placed on the first solar cell 151. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the fixing pieces 2564 push and fix the second interconnectors 1422. An operation of placing the second solar cell 152 over the second interconnectors 1422 and an operation of locating the upper fixing member 256 over the second interconnectors 1422 may be performed at the same time.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 16G, the second fixing part 242 is released so that the jig 243 is separated from the second interconnectors 1422. At this time, the third fixing part 254 is released along with the second fixing part 242 so that the second interconnectors 1422 and the second solar cell 152, which are fixed to each other, may move via movement of the conveyor belts 252. Even if the third fixing part 254 and the second fixing part 242 are released, the first and second interconnectors 1421 and 1422 and the first and second solar cells 151 and 152 are stably fixed to the conveyor belts 252 via exhaust adsorption. In addition, the second interconnectors 1422, located on the upper surface of the first solar cell 151, are supported by the fixing member 256.

Thereby, the jig 243 is completely separated and released from the interconnectors 142 and the jig 243 is returned to the interconnector discharge unit 240.

In the state in which all of the interconnectors 142 are attached to the upper surface and the lower surface of the solar cell 150, the conveyor belts 252 are driven so that the solar cell 150 passes through the heat source 258. Thereby, through a soldering process in which the flux and the solder layers 142 b on the interconnectors 142 are melted, the first and second interconnectors 1421 and 1422 are attached to the first or second electrode 42 or 44 of the solar cell 150. More specifically, the first interconnectors 1421, which are disposed on one surface of the first solar cell 151, and the second interconnectors 1422, which are disposed on the other surface of the first solar cell 151, may be attached to the opposite surfaces of the first solar cell 151 when heat is applied to the first solar cell 151.

In addition, portions of other multiple interconnectors 142 may be placed on a portion of the second solar cell 152, and another solar cell (e.g. a third solar cell) may be placed on other portions of the interconnectors 142. The interconnectors 142 may be attached to the second solar cell 152 by applying heat to the second solar cell 152, on both surfaces of which the interconnectors 142 are placed. A single row of solar cells may be formed by repeating the operation described above. In the state in which the interconnectors 142 having a first length are placed on the last solar cell 150 that constitutes the row of solar cells, heat may be applied to the interconnectors 142, which are fixed using the upper fixing member 256 to attach the interconnectors 142.

According to the present embodiment, the jig 243 is separated from the interconnectors 142 prior to passing through the heat source 258, which may minimize the number of jigs 243 that are operated. Thereby, the structure of the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 may be simplified and productivity may be improved. At this time, when the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 are fixed to each other via exhaust adsorption, the interconnectors 142 and the solar cell 150 may be stably fixed to each other without damage thereto. In addition, the interconnectors 142, cut by the cutter 244, are fixed and attached to the solar cell 150, which may simplify the structure and the process of manufacturing the interconnectors 142. In addition, the attachment of the interconnectors 142 may be automated when the interconnectors 142 pass through the heat source 258 by the conveyor belts 252 while being placed on opposite surfaces of the solar cell 150. Thereby, the interconnectors 142, each of which includes a rounded portion and the solder layer 142 b for soldering, may be attached to the solar cell 150 using an automated system.

At this time, because the flux unit 220 applies the flux 224 to the interconnectors 142 via spraying, the flux 224 may be applied to a sufficient thickness over all of the interconnectors 142. In particular, even when the interconnectors 142 have a rounded cross section, the flux 224 may be formed to a sufficient thickness over the entire area, which may improve the attachability of the interconnectors 142 to the solar cell 150.

At this time, when the flux 224 is applied to the interconnectors 142 having a circular cross section, the amount of the flux 224 that is applied to the solar cell 150 may be minimized, and the performance of the solar cell 150 may be improved. For a simple and clear description, only indispensable components of the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment have been described above and illustrated in the drawings. The cutter 244, the fixing member 246, the first fixing part 241, the second fixing part 242, the third fixing part 254, the upper fixing member 256 and the like may be provided with a drive member (e.g. a motor) and a portion connected thereto (e.g. an arm or a link) for driving thereof or for changing the position thereof. In addition, a controller for operating the drive member in a wired or wireless manner may be provided. Thereby, the interconnector attachment apparatus 200 may be operated in a desired manner. Various known methods or structures may be applied to the above-described drive member, the connection portion, and the controller.

The above-described embodiment illustrates that the jig 243, which includes the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242, directly moves to the upper side of the conveyor belts 252. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Another embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a view schematically illustrating the configuration of a portion of the interconnector attachment apparatus for the solar cell panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, an interconnector supply unit (e.g. a second interconnector supply unit) may be located at the upper side of the interconnector discharge unit 240 and may include a fixing arm 260 for fixing and moving the interconnectors 142. The fixing arm 260 may include a body 261, and first and second arms 262 and 263 installed to the body 261. Finger structures for gripping the interconnectors 142 are installed to protrude downward from the first and second arms 262 and 263. The fixing arm 260 may pick up the interconnectors 142 and then move toward the conveyor belts 252. In one example, the fixing arm 260 may reciprocally move between the jig 243 and the conveyor belts 252.

For a simple illustration, the fixing arm 260 is only schematically illustrated in FIG. 17. The first and second arms 262 and 263 may move in the processing direction (i.e. along the x-axis in the drawings) while being fixed to the body 261, such that the distance between the first and second arms 262 and 263 may be adjusted. In addition, the first and second arms 262 and 263 may move separately in the vertical direction (i.e. along the z-axis in the drawings), and may be located at a desired vertically moved position in consideration of, for example, the fastened/released state of the interconnectors 142. Various known configurations may be applied as a configuration to adjust the positions of, for example, the first and second arms 262 and 263 (e.g. in the x-axis and/or in the z-axis).

When the fixing arm 260 is provided, the fixing arm 260 approaches from the upper side of the interconnectors 142 in the state in which the interconnectors 142 having a predetermined length are fixed to the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242. At this time, the first and second arms 262 and 263 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance between the first fixing part 241 and the second fixing part 242. The first and second arms 262 and 263 move downward (i.e. in the negative x-axis direction in the drawings) so that the interconnectors 142 are gripped by the first and second arms 262 and 263 (more specifically, by the finger structures of the first and second arms 262 and 263). Then, the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 release the fixing of the interconnectors 142 and are separated from the interconnectors 142. In this structure, the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 (more particularly, the second fixing part 242) may move in the longitudinal direction of the interconnectors 142 (i.e. along the x-axis in the drawings), but may not move in other directions (i.e. along the y-axis and the z-axis in the drawings). Then, in the interconnector fixing unit 240, the first and second arms 262 and 263 perform, for example, the roles and functions of the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242. Accordingly, the operation of the first and second fixing parts 241 and 242 described above (more particularly, with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16G) may be performed by the first and second arms 262 and 263.

The above described features, configurations, effects, and the like are included in at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be limited to only one embodiment. In addition, the features, configurations, effects, and the like as illustrated in each embodiment may be implemented with regard to other embodiments as they are combined with one another or modified by those skilled in the art. Thus, content related to these combinations and modifications should be construed as including in the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the method comprising: forming a flux layer by spraying flux over the interconnector via spraying, the interconnector including a core layer and a solder layer formed on a surface of the core layer; and attaching the interconnector to a solar cell via soldering of the solder layer by pressing the interconnector onto the solar cell while applying heat.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interconnector includes a plurality of interconnectors arranged side by side with a distance therebetween, and wherein, in the forming the flux layer, the flux is sprayed to the respective interconnectors at the same time.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, in the forming the flux layer, a spray member including a spraying portion for spraying the flux is provided, and wherein the spray member is provided in a plural number so that a plurality of spraying portions is provided, or so that each spray member includes a plurality of spraying portions.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, in the forming the flux layer, the interconnectors and the spray members have a distance therebetween within a range from 1 cm to 50 cm.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the spraying portions have a distance therebetween within a range from 1 cm to 3 cm.
 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein a ratio of the distance between the interconnectors to a distance between the spraying portions ranges from 1:1 to 1:4.
 7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the flux, sprayed from two neighboring spraying portions among the spraying portions, at least partially overlaps in a region in which the interconnectors are located.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flux includes a halogen element.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flux layer has a thickness within a range from 2 μm to 7 μm.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flux, sprayed by the spray member, has a spraying pressure within a range from 0.15 MPa to 0.4 MPa.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interconnector includes a rounded portion, or has a circular cross section.
 12. An apparatus for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the apparatus comprising: a flux unit including a spray member having a spraying portion for spraying flux over the interconnector, which includes a core layer and a solder layer formed on a surface of the core layer; and an attachment unit for attaching the interconnector to a solar cell via soldering of the solder layer by pressing the interconnector onto the solar cell while applying heat.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the interconnector is provided in a plural number so that a plurality of interconnectors is arranged side by side with a distance therebetween, and wherein the spray member is provided in a plural number so that a plurality of spraying portions is provided, or so that each spray member includes a plurality of spraying portions.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the interconnector and the spray member have a distance therebetween within a range from 1 cm to 50 cm.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spraying portions have a distance therebetween within a range from 1 cm to 3 cm.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a ratio of the distance between the interconnectors to a distance between the spraying portions ranges from 1:1 to 1:4.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the flux, sprayed from two neighboring spraying portions among the spraying portions, at least partially overlaps in a region in which the interconnectors are located.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the flux includes a halogen element.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the flux, sprayed by the spray member, has a spraying speed or spraying pressure within a range from 0.15 MPa to 0.4 MPa.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the interconnector includes a rounded portion, or has a circular cross section. 